Berry is national elementary Teacher of the Year for GATE
Bonnie Berry, who teaches kindergarten at Ottobine Elementary School, is this year’s elementary Teacher of the Year for GATE, the Global Association of Teachers of Economics.
Berry, a frequent winner of local and state competition, was nominated for the award by Lynne F. Stover of the JMU Center for Economic Education. “Bonnie has always done a great job of helping her kindergarteners understand economic principles,” Stover said. “I thought she would be a strong candidate for the GATE award.”
Berry will be recognized in Chicago at the October meeting of GATE, during the annual joint meeting of GATE, the Council for Economic Education and the National Association of Economic Educators.
Berry’s previous prize-winning work included lesson plans and entire economics units that combined in-class instruction, classroom enterprises, and culminating field trips.
“Bonnie’s work has shown us how much children can learn about the economic world they live in, even at a very early age,” said Stephanne Byrd, board chair of Shenandoah Valley Economic Education Inc. SVEE provides funding for a comprehensive economic education program locally.
Laura Evy, Berry’s principal at Ottobine, said her work continues to be “cutting edge” after 43 years of teaching experience. “Having children experience ‘real life’ learning, even as kindergartners, is one of Mrs. Berry’s daily goals,” Evy said. “Using economics to achieve this goal is evident throughout the year as the students are taken out of the school building classroom and thrust into the real world of economic resources.”